The first of three new Airbus H145 Jupiter HC Mk2 helicopters made its maiden flight from Akrotiri Air Base (RAF Akrotiri), marking a significant step toward strengthening the United Kingdom’s operational capability to respond to crises in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The arrival of the H145 helicopters now establishes the capability for a 24-hour operational response in Cyprus, 365 days a year.

The H145 is a versatile and highly capable platform that can be adapted to a wide range of missions, including aerial firefighting, intelligence gathering, and search and rescue operations.

It is one of the most widely used helicopters in its class, serving with military forces, emergency services, and civilian agencies in more than 40 countries. Its state-of-the-art systems reduce both maintenance requirements and crew workload, ensuring increased availability when it is needed most.

The Commander of RAF 84 Squadron, Captain Steven Bradley, stated:

“Our ability to protect and support those in Cyprus and beyond is a cornerstone of our operations. The arrival of the H145 helicopters in Cyprus provides the United Kingdom and its allies with a modern and flexible fleet, capable of meeting a wide range of operational requirements throughout the year.”

Pilots from RAF 84 Squadron will continue their training on the new helicopters in Cyprus, with the support of specialized Airbus engineers. The H145 helicopters are expected to take over aerial firefighting missions from the Chinook helicopters currently stationed at RAF Akrotiri, before the start of the next fire season.